My Week with a Smartphone

[earlgreytea68]

So, until last Saturday, I didn't have a smartphone.

Saying it that way isn't quite actually. Actually, I had a smartphone first, before most other people in the population did, before the iPhone was ever released, because I had a BlackBerry when I was an attorney. I could check my e-mail while at dinner and tweet while on subways. And you know what? I haaaaaaated it. I hated always being accessible, constantly on call. The stupid thing was giving me a nervous breakdown. I had rules about when I could and couldn't check it, so as to try to get some separation from it.

So, when I stopped being a lawyer, I got rid of my smartphone, as a symbol of discarding that whole part of my life. And I really never missed it. I spent several years not having a smartphone and not being overly accessible and that was totally fine with me.

Now I was due for another upgrade, and it's hard these days to find phones that *aren't* smartphones, and, anyway, I had realized that my phone made it difficult to tweet photos. Yes, I literally decided I should get a smartphone so that it would be easier for me to tweet photos.

When I went to the store, I had this discussion with the salesperson:

Me: I don't have a smartphone, so could you walk me through the different features?
Him: ...You don't have a smartphone?!
Me: I do not.
Him: ...Do you have...wireless Internet?
Me: Yes! I'm not a total Luddite, I just don't have a smartphone!

He seemed skeptical. More so when he went through a bunch of features and at the end I said, "Okay, what about phone calls, I assume I can make phone calls on this, right?" and he, said, dubiously, "Well, I guess, if that's what you want to use it for."

That is indeed what I want to use my phone for. I know that makes me old-fashioned but I live far away from everyone I care about and sometimes I like to hear their voices. I KNOW. IT'S SO WEIRD. (I do also use Skype, just so you don't think I'm completely hopeless technologically).

So I bought my smartphone and took it home. It is navy blue (blue is my favorite color) and very pretty. I set it up with the Bluetooth in my car (see? More technology use!) and was very pleased with myself for figuring that out. I also used the Dropbox app to send ringtones over to it, and felt super-accomplished. I located a Twitter app as well. Oh! And I picked out a case for it on Etsy! That was very exciting!

And, since then, well, I haven't done much with it. I did send a couple of tweets from restaurants but here's the problem: I am so. slow. with the touchscreen typing that I've realized that the idea of having to type it on that screen makes me decide that I don't really have to make the tweet. I realized after a few days that I wasn't using the smartphone at all, so I made a rule that I had to use the smartphone to tweet from one of my accounts. The result? I don't tweet from that account anymore.

This is all ridiculous, I told myself. GET THE PHONE AND START USING IT. So, curious, I took two typing tests. The speed at which I type on my laptop: 98 wpm. The speed at which I type on my smartphone: 8 wpm. Yeah, it's suddenly become very obvious to me why I don't feel like dealing with the smartphone.

So I'm trying to be patient with myself and let myself slowly get better on the smartphone. I am aware that this is the kind of challenge I should force my brain to confront in order to stay sharp and nimble. I think I might force myself to type one tweet a day on it, to keep getting practice in, because otherwise I'm never going to use this stupid phone and it's just a huge waste of money.

I will say, there are some things I like about the phone. I love being able to check the weather so easily. And I love that i can set up a M-W-F alarm and a T-Th alarm, since my schedules are different those days. But, other than that, I basically don't use it.

People have very nicely suggested many apps to me. My response to most of these apps has been, "...But why wouldn't I just use a computer to do that?" Which I think is part of the problem, because when I sat down to think about it, all of my waking hours are spent in front of a computer of some sort, either at home or at work, and I have unrestricted Internet in both places. If I want to watch a day Red Sox game while I'm at work, then I just go to ESPN and set up the website and there's no issue. The only times I'm not in front of a computer are when I'm teaching or driving or shopping. Which is when I realized that probably smartphones are way more important when you have a social life and do things like actually go *out.* Or if I were still living in a city and so had commuting time that didn't require my active participation.

Anyway, the phone continues to be very pretty and I'm sure eventually I'll be really excited about some use for it in my life. I just haven't uncovered what it is yet. I'm actually traveling at the end of the month, and I'm kind of looking forward to being on the go, because then maybe my phone and I will have a bonding moment! Or I'll just get frustrated trying to send frustrated flying tweets and it'll be an unpleasant vicious spiral. WHO KNOWS. ::suspense::

Comments

[ender24]

i am not sure if i am younger or older than you, but i totally do not have a smartphone :D
not totally dumbphone either, coz i have this old samsung thing, which has the OS Kies, so it does something like being able to go online, and check my emails, but thats about it.
like you, i have unrestricted net access at my office desk (wich i am sitting around 9 hours per day) and at home as well.
so why would i so urgently need a smartphone ;D

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think having unrestricted Internet at work really changes your view on the necessity of a smartphone!

[effulgent-girl.livejournal.com]

I don't have a smartphone either (tracfone girl here) but I do have an iPad, so I get all the apps on that. The only thing I really use my phone for is texts and the occasional call (practically all to immediate family) but I did used to use it more for games and web when I didn't have my iPad. I don't think I'll ever get a smart phone unless I become really popular or famous for some reason, lol.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

I actually was going to get some sort of tablet to replace my laptop, because they seem lighter and more portable and less money, but I've now realized that I hate the touchscreen so much that I would definitely have to buy it a keyboard and at that point I might as well have a laptop. Especially since my primary laptop use is writing so I am CONSTANTLY typing.

[chocolamousse.livejournal.com]

I have a laptop for Internet. And I have a phone that can only, well, phone, because otherwise I'd really spend too much time online (not that I don't already). I sometimes feel like a dinosaur but I stand fast. :D Anyway, good luck with your smartphone, I wish you an intense bonding trip then a long and happy life together, with lots of little tweets. :D

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

I do think I spend a ton of time on the Internet. I do not think I need to spend more!

[stillbrainfried.livejournal.com]

I can relate to that. I have a BlackBerry for work as well (my company doesn't allow any other smartphone) and I gave myself rules when I would use it - mostly because I realised that I sleep much better when I'm not annoyed because one of my colleagues sent me an e-mail with a task he should have done himself because it would have been much more efficient.

In private life, I use an old Motorola with actual keys because a touchscreen annoys me to no end. My mobile allows me to make calls and send texts, which is all I really need to stay in touch with the people I care about. While it would be nice to check my private e-mail while I'm travelling, I can live without it. Nothing is *that* urgent, and if it is, people can call.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

YES. And you would always get an e-mail like that right before bed, ugh. I had a rule not to check it for at least an hour before bed, because there needed to be that separation.

I admit that I actually considered getting a BlackBerry this time around just to have keys, but I figured I'd get used to the touchscreen. At least, that's what everyone tells me!

[miss-whiplash.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the smartphone thing, I have one and use an old second hand Nokia with a keyboard for real stuff, but I have found that this (http://www.viewranger.com/en-gb)is really useful and free.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good to know, thank you!

[shezan.livejournal.com]

It's not an iPhone, is it? Because you wouldn't be agonising like that with an iPhone - you'd be using up battery power like there is no tomorrow.

Does it take good pictures? Because that's easy, on the fly, notetaking, scanning, etc. PLUS pics everywhere! I went up a staircase at Grand Palais this afternoon to get to the second half of the Braque show, and the staircase was so beautiful I took pictures and more pictures!

I read TONNES of books on mine. Instant library & AO3 fics everywhere, even when no wifi.

I use mine to play Cabin Pressure eps on the treadmill. 28 minutes is excellent for cardio. Yellow car!

I deposit cheques at my bank with mine. One pic, cheque cashed. I also pay taxes with the flashcode reader. (Only fun thing about taxes.)

Music! Movies! Email! LJ! FB! Twitter! Nice unknown cat on the street, TWEET! Cops harassing stragglers form a demo, pic and TWEET!

Oh, and you'll get used to the touchscreen keyboard. I hated it in the beginning, but now I prefer it to the Blackberry's (I have an unloved office Blackberry. Its handling of memory is so bad I need to take the battery out once a day to reboot, because perish the thought that BB might invent the reboot button. I hate it. It is, however, a better telephone, as in "handset you speak into", than the iPhone.)

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

It is not an iPhone. My sisters both had iPhones and I really didn't like them (they were *terrible* for telephone conversations), plus I don't support Apple's digital rights policies, so I avoid buying their products. I KNOW, I AM A CRAZY PERSON.

It probably takes good pictures? It takes pictures. Alas, you live somewhere really pretty that calls for lots of pictures. I...do not.

Everyone keeps assuring me I'll get used to the touchscreen. I'm sure I will. At the same time, I kind of resent technology that is so annoying that I have to be forced to use it for a while before I like it.

[chyldeofnyte.livejournal.com]

No smart phone for me, and I don't want one, never have. When the started off and got so popular, I was actually shopping for a new phone. I went into the store and told the salesman that I wanted a phone, just a phone, not one that did everything but cook. I wanted phone calls, not even text. The look I got made me feel like a dinosaur was behind me. I just recently stepped into getting a phone that could text and take pictures, and that was solely because of my college age nieces. It can connect to the web, and my plan as a bit of data on it, but I've never used it. I think of it as an emergency item so I if lost I can find out directions. I am behind the tech era, and I don't mind. I've LJ and FB accounts, but couldn't care less about twitter or tumbler or any other social media and you know what? I'm just fine with that. I feel like living my life, not narrating it for the world. :D

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Hee! You are the most intelligent of all of us!!

[zaftig-darling.livejournal.com]

I just upgraded to a Galaxy S 4 and I like it very much. I do not have unrestricted Internet access at work because I have a primary client whose security concerns are only slightly less stringent than the CIA, so I have bizarre restrictions - no Facebook, no tumblr, no twitter, no LJ, no LinkedIn, no web based email. I can access ESPN so I have been following sports more lately, and shopping more since no clothing retailers are blocked (because lawyers need to look like lawyers I guess.) I have all the social media apps on my phone, and angry birds.

My favorite app is kindle, so I can read whatever book or fanfic I am in the middle of whilst sitting around in court. Second favorite app is "overdrive" - this is a library app for downloading audio and kindle books, but you must be a member of a public library that participates in order to actually use it. (I was surprised to learn that just by being a resident of my state, I have access to two statewide public library systems that use Overdrive, in addition to our local county library system, so it is worth digging around even if your local library doesn't do electronic media.). The audiobooks are really important to me, because I listen to them during my commute (30 minutes each way.)

I am curious to know how you transitioned from lawyering to teaching. Right now my job is giving me an ulcer, insomnia, and an anxiety disorder...it's been a particularly bad few weeks, and I haven't managed to actually solve any problems for anyone in several weeks, which makes feeling fulfilled as a lawyer difficult...sigh.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

But isn't it annoying to read a book on something so tiny? Like, I hate reading my Twitter list on it, I feel like I can't *see* anything. It's almost like I read so quickly that there's not enough on the screen for me to read in one gulp, or something. I don't know. I don't have a Kindle, either, though, so I'm very old-fashioned that way.

I'm sorry to hear about your job. I remember that feeling well and it was the absolute worst. ::hugs:: It took me a while to transition, but I think the best thing I did was to write an article. I feel like schools don't even look at you unless you've published something, alas. (Unless you know someone and feel like you can get in as an adjunct with the hope of transitioning to full-time.)

[zaftig-darling.livejournal.com]

I read really quickly as well, so reading on a small screen does take some getting used to. (I also make appalling typos when typing on my phone, which is just embarrassing, so I haven't gotten the hang of that at all, even after using a smart phone for 3 years.)

You can get a kindle app for free from Google Play store (or the Microsoft app store if your phone is a Microsoft platform phone). Then use the app to login to amazon.com and there are FREE!BOOKS! to download, so you could try it out without paying any money. (Some free books I have enjoyed - the Anne of Green Gables series, several canon Sherlock Holmes stories, The Secret Garden) - and then you would be able to try reading on a small screen without spending any money.

(I do have an actual kindle, and a kindle app on my phone, and a kindle app on my iPad - the kindle apps will sync together (usally, every now and then it gets glitchy) and so it will keep track of where I'm at, regardless of what I'm reading on. (My preferred kindle reading platform is on my iPad, but it's too big to take around in my purse.)

The screen on my new Galaxy is about an inch bigger than my previous phone (an HTC evo), so right now it feels huge in comparison. (I have totally crap hearing, but my eyesight is just fine, I don't wear glasses or contacts at all. My husband says he cannot read on such a small screen, but he has had Lasix eye surgery and wears reading glasses - so if you wear glasses or contacts it might not be ideal for you.)

The site I have the hardest time reading on my phone is Tumblr.

I have not considered writing an academic article since law review, but I do miss writing...maybe I should consider it.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have not heard of anybody who's happy with Tumblr in a mobile form.

I actually have Amazon Prime, so I feel like I might have lots of books available for free? I have no idea. To be totally and completely honest, I have a New Yorker subscription, so most of my reading time goes to keeping on top of that. I spend much less time reading fiction than I used to, which part of me is sad about but the other part of me is like, eh, times change.

The article is, I think, key. Unless you try to get a clinical position? I don't know what your specialty is but if you want to go clinical, you probably could do it without an article. This is actually hiring season for next year, so if you wanted to, now's the time. Check higheredjobs.com and Chronicle.com. Also, I'm happy to look at resumes / give more advice. I'm the obvious at gmail. (By which I mean: my username at gmail.)

[ladyprydian.livejournal.com]

I have a smart phone that I use as *GASP* a phone.

My cell phone is my home phone so I make phone calls with it because there are some people (grandma, my dad, dentist, etc) you NEED TO PHONE.

I've become very good with typing on a small keyboard but I don't like typing on the screen. Maybe when I update my phone I will like the technology better but I am like you. My typing on my phone is much slower than typing on a proper keyboard.

I also don't have many apps. Tbh, I don't want them. They just suck your battery.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Yes! My God, the battery *drains.* I have no apps and don't really do anything on my phone, and I can't believe how quickly it goes through battery! I used to go days without charging my regular phone! No wonder everyone's batteries are always dying!

[rereader.livejournal.com]

I have a prepaid-plan stupid phone--I can make calls and text, and it has a (really terrible) camera but that's it--because I'm a freelancer who works from home, and my computer and internet and land line are Right Here all the time, so to spend money on a regular cell plan would be a total waste of money. The cell is good enough for emergencies, and for my parents to reach me if they need me.

What I really do stuff with is my iPod Touch--I have that thing virtually attached to my hand. The camera is pretty bad--it's a two-year-old model--but I can surf the internet, check email, keep my calendar and contacts and to-do list (VITAL) all up to date. I can play games and talk to internet friends and tweet. And I don't have to pay for a data plan!

(If money weren't a consideration, though, I'd go for an iPhone, which is basically an iPod Touch with a phone inside, so I'd have one less thing to tote around.)

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Ah, the iPod Touch makes sense!

[rereader.livejournal.com]

See, one of my sisters works for Bell Labs (which is AT&T), and it was strongly suggested that all employees get an iPhone when they came out. And as she said at the time, she had no idea what to do with a smart phone, but she sure knew what to do with an itty bitty computer!

So I just got the itty bitty computer. :)

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Heh. Well, I use my computer mainly to write fic!

[rereader.livejournal.com]

A smartphone (or like-sized device) is no good for that!

But you could jot down notes on it, when an idea occurs...:)

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea! I'll keep that in mind!

[1trackmind.livejournal.com]

I didn't have a smartphone until about 8 months ago because I figured I'd never use it. I'm actually using it a lot more than I thought I would.

You said it isn't an iPhone so I'm guessing it's an Android. You might try Swiftkey as a replacement keyboard. I find it's much better about predicting the word I want than the default Android keyboard. Of course, it helps a lot that I gave it access to gmail. You can get a 30 day trial.

I still use my computer for most things if I'm at home or work. Why wouldn't you? I've never understood why anyone wants to watch or read something on a screen that's a few inches when you could use a computer monitor.

I do use it for text messages sometimes and I also occasionally use it to look things up when I'm out and about. Or for directions. If you don't have a Garmin or similar device and you're as directionally impaired as I am that's a nice feature.

Are you interested in games at all? Ingress might be a nice one if you don't mind letting Google know where you are. It's sort of social (although I mostly play alone) but one of the reasons I like it is that it can be a reason to get out of the house and you may find all kinds of public art you didn't know existed. But then, I live in a place with a lot of public art. I'm not sure it works as well in small towns. If you are interested, let me know. I've got a bunch of invites (right now it's invite only because it's in Beta) and I'd be more than happy to send one your way.

I will say though that I recently got a Nook HD which is essentially an Android tablet less the camera and now I play most games on that instead because it has a bigger screen. (Ingress won't work on it, which is just as well since I find Ingress works best using the data plan rather than wi-fi).

Anyway, I find it works well with Google stuff and I'm letting Google much farther into my day to day life than I'd planned to. But I also think if you're just using to make calls and it does that well, who cares? Downgrade your data plan if you need to. We won't judge you. And not using it every second doesn't make you a Luddite. There are even those who might say it makes you polite.

There are some location/time specific apps that are nice. For example, MLB has one that gives lots of info about ballparks. It's also really nice when you go to cons and they have some kind of app with the schedule. That was actually one of the main reasons I thought about getting one. I only go to one or two cons a year but they just assume you have a smart phone so they'd update things (like room changes or cancellations) on the app but nowhere else. Which reminds me, do you ever go to cons? Sherlock Seattle was this weekend, which made me think of you even though I know you weren't there. I wanted to go but my boss' sudden retirement means I'm currently unemployed so I couldn't really justify it. But they had some artists I would have liked to see and they had some fic writers, too. Most of the fic writers were local(ish) but the artists were from all over the country. They had some well known published authors as well, people who are big names in the Sherlock fandom but I find I care a lot less about that than I do the fandom people. Go figure.

If you're cool with Google you should definitely set up Google Now. I suspect it will be especially useful when you travel if you're looking for local attractions. If you're not the one driving it might be a good Ingress experience, too. As long as you're not just on the freeway the entire time.

Hey, if nothing else you can have Sherlock say, "It's a text alert. It means I've got a text" when you get a text. It's not my default but I do have that set up for the friend I text the most who is also a big Sherlock person.

ETA: Sadly, the free Prime books only work on a Kindle. You should be able to stream in the event you want to watch things on a four inch screen.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

It's actually a Samsung? So I don't know if the keyboard is different, or what? I don't know, I have no idea how this stuff works!

I have a GPS so I don't use it much for that, but I do like that the texting is unlimited. My sisters are both big texters, so that makes me happy. I am very slow to text back, so I tend not to use it if I can help it, or to limit my replies to one or two words. ;-)

Ah, Ingress sounds interesting! I admit I'm not much of a game-player. Which isn't really true. I love playing Wii and I adore board games, but I've never been much of a computer game person. Except for Sim City. I loooooved Sim City.

I have gone to cons, both fandom cons and conventions for my day jobs, and you're right, they do assume you've got a smartphone to review stuff. I haven't been to one since getting the phone, but that'll be useful! I don't go to fandom cons very often. Normally, I have to have a fandom friend who pushes me to go. I am very laaaaazy.

GoogleNow. ::makes note::

I don't have a plan with enough data to stream (that was what the guy told me, at least) so I probably won't be doing that. I kind of got the smallest plan I could, because I couldn't imagine myself using it much, and so far that seems to have worked out.

[azriona.livejournal.com]

I'm really liking my smartphone, though I agree, the touch-screen keyboard is a bit annoying. (I am getting faster, but possibly not more competent. I rely on the autocorrect where it offers you possible words for what you're typing a lot.)

The thing I find most useful about it is the ability to check reviews and prices on things I see in stores (I LOVE the ability to scan the UPC code and instantly see the reviews on Amazon), and the Gas Finder app (which lets you find the cheapest gas stations around, and the Kindle app. And no, it's not too bad reading a book on the small screen, plus it'll sync with my Kindle at home, so it doesn't matter what device I used last to read the book, I'll always be able to pick it up at the same place where I left off.

Oh, and coupons. You can get store coupons with the various apps and those are handy, too.

But yeah - I think if you don't end up liking your phone at the end of traveling, when you don't have easy access to a computer with internet, then you probably never will. And that's okay, too.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Yes, relying on the word-suggestion thing was my sisters' advice, too. That is helpful, although sometimes I'm like, "...Really? That's what you think I'm trying to type?"

Huh. I don't know how to do the scanning thing. I'm going to have to figure that out. (Although I live in the middle of nowhere where there are no stores, so...)

That gas finder app is a good idea! I will have to get that one!

I am back from traveling now. It was fine having the phone, as I used it to tweet from the airport.

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

Hee! I don't have a phone either, so I understand completely where you're coming from!

Anyway enjoy getting excited about it sometime in the future!! *grin*

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thank you! My sisters got it all set up for me this weekend, but now I've forgotten what they did to it!

[tucker-liz.livejournal.com]

I have never had a smartphone. I have a Jitterbug, originally advertised for seniors, but it is a basic phone that simply makes and receives call. No camera, no texting, internet access (although they have a version now that does). It is just a telephone. I also have a low monthly flat bill of $18.95, including all the fees, don't pay roaming, and received a toll-free telephone number so anyone who calls from from anywhere in the US doesn't have to pay for the call. I get 30 minutes a month to use with rollover of unused for 60 days. I couldn't be happier with it.

I have computers, I have cameras, so I don't need them on a phone.

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

That sounds like an awesome deal!

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Don't feel badly about not owning a smartphone before, I only just got one myself a few months ago, and believe me I UTTERLY SYMPATHIZE with any mockery you may have received. And not just from sales people either :/

I wanted to be really excited about it too, but I don't have any games and I can't think of any apps I need, I really only use my phone to read fanfic on my train commute to work. If you find any fun apps please don't hesitate to share! <3

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

Solidarity on the mockery!

I downloaded this Field Trip app that is probably really good when you're traveling but so far has just told me the same thing about the place I live over and over, so, yeah.

I have Instagram, because my sisters use it, and I was thinking of getting Pinterest, and I have a Twitter app. Other than that, that's it. Like you, I remain unsure what I'm supposed to be using it for!

[develish1]

I think we're of a similar age, maybe, but we're clearly of a similar mind when it comes to smart phones.

I am desperately clinging to my Nokia 5310, and flat out refusing all suggestions that I "upgrade" to something with a touch screen and 100's of apps.

Why? Because I already have a PC, a laptop and a tablet, and fairly bad eyesight. Whenever I'm on the move for any length of time (train journeys etc) the tablet is by my side, and far more use than trying to do something on a screen so small I can barely read the text. When I'm home I'm either in front of my PC anyway, or doing something that keeps me busy enough that I don't WANT to tweet etc.

What do I use my current phone for? Like you I'm one of those weird people who actually make calls with it, or send SMS messages, which on this I can do one handed without even looking.

I tried using hubby's phone to send an SMS once, and nearly threw it at him in frustration.

So no love, you are definitely NOT alone, but we are apparently in the minority

[earlgreytea68.livejournal.com]

I *so* miss being able to send a text quickly and efficiently! It's so strange to me that smartphones are so popular when they seem to be a step backward!

Anyway, thank you for the SOLIDARITY! :-)